Accra: Spain midfielder Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball as the World Cup's best player following their 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final on Sunday.
According to Ghana News Agency, Rodri, who plays for Manchester City, overcame a challenging league season marked by a cruciate knee ligament injury in September 2024. Despite his struggles, he played a pivotal role in Spain's triumph, sitting resolutely in front of the back four and initiating attacks with his consistent and rhythmic play.
Spain's defense was remarkable throughout the tournament, conceding only one goal. Young center-back Pau Cubars distinguished himself by winning the young player award, overshadowing his Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal, who is also 19 years old.
Unai Sim³n was recognized as the goalkeeper of the World Cup, having conceded only once during the 2-1 quarter-final win against Belgium. His impressive performance included a record-breaking clean sheet that lasted 649 minutes over two tournaments.